The County Fair

     The last several of years I’ve helped at the Shenandoah County Fair in the Exhibit Hall for Photography Judging. And every year I tell myself I am going enter some of my photos and other items I’ve made for judging. This year I finally did just that. I entered ten photos, three quilted projects and five sewing projects.
     To my great excitement I won some ribbons. I received four ribbons for my photos and eight ribbons for my quilting and sewing projects. I ended up with a Best in Show, seven 1st place ribbons, four 2nd place ribbons and one third place. I won $36 in prize money.
     Next year is the Shenandoah County Fair’s 100th Anniversary which is a big deal. I’ve decided that for the Anniversary I’m going to enter a whole lot more items. I’ve already looked over the categories and started making a list of what I want to make. Chances are I won’t get everything done because I’ve got quite a long list. But there’s a saying that applies to my goal – “Shoot for the Moon and you’ll land among the Stars”.  I’m shooting for the Moon so I can land among the Stars. 
 
My list is as follows – 

Handcrafts –

Doll
Doll Clothing – Machine Stitch
Door Decoration (Wooden)
Door Decoration (Misc.)
Door Decoration
Fabric Decoration
Painted Design on Wood
Recycled Item
Scrapbook – 2 pages
Wooden Entry
Wreath – Artificial Material
Wreath – Holiday
Wreath (Other)
Misc. Hand Craft Entry 

Handwork - Counted Cross Stitch
Holiday Decoration
Picture, Framed, Small (worked area 8” x 10” & under)
Picture, Framed, Large (worked area over 8” x 10”) 

Machine Work – Garments
Active wear, shorts
Active wear, shorts set
Apron
Blazer, Other Fabric
Blazer, Unlined
Blouse, Dressy
Blouse, Sleeveless
Child’s Dress
Child’s Nightwear
Dress, Casual
Dress, Dressy
Dress, Sundress
2-Piece Ensemble
Holiday Costume
Jacket, Unlined
Nightwear, gown
Skirt, Lined
Slacks
Misc. Garment Entry
Skirt, Unlined 

Machine – Garment Accessory
Handbag, Tote
Handbag, Regular
Misc. Garment Accessory 

Machine – Home Accessory
Applique – Wall Hanging
Applique – Pillow
Applique (Misc.)
Holiday Decoration
Napkins (Set of 4)
Placemats (Set of 4)
Quilted Accessory
Quilted – Twin & Under
Quilt – Over Twin
Table Runner
Misc. Home Accessory

     I have 51 items on my list. Whew!! That’s a whole lot. I definitely am shooting for the Moon. But I think can do it. Maybe.  Well, you can eat an elephant one bite at a time. This list of projects is my elephant and each one I complete will be a bite. I think I'm going to have fun trying to eat this elephant. I already have some projects started so it’s just a matter of finishing them up. There are projects that I already planned on making and have most, if not all, of the materials. The last category is the “I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do” so I’m just going to figure it out as I go. I will have a lot of fun doing that too.
     A habit I do have is I get all excited about something, go all out, then lose steam and quit.  Then I get upset at myself for not finishing a goal I set. I know I have a whole lot of items on this list and realistically I won’t get them all done. But if I can complete half or even a quarter of these projects then I’m doing great. I have to give myself permission that it’s ok if I don’t complete them all. For me to use this list as a guide not as a “must do”. However many projects I get done I’ll have a good time putting them in the fair and see how well I do.
     As I complete a project I’m crossing it off my list. I’m going to keep track of which projects I get done here. This is going to be a very busy year. I hope that you’ll come back and give me feedback on the projects I get done. I’d love to have some opinions on my work.
     Come join me in eating an elephant, one bite at a time.

Thanks for visiting with me at "Down Home at Dee's"

Deana